The Huntsville TimesClay ScofieldHUNTSVILLE, AL -- Arab farmer Clay Scofield led the way in the Republican race for the State Senate District 9 seat and will be in a runoff with Albertville businessman Don Spurlin.

With all but two precincts reporting, Scofield had 6,531 votes and Spurlin had 5,651 votes. The two outdistanced Tony Cochran of Albertville and John Wilson of Huntsville.

The runoff will be July 13.

"Obviously, we'd love to have had a much stronger showing but we're happy to be where we are," Spurlin said.

The District 9 seat has been a top priority for the Republican party after eight-term Democratic Senator Hinton Mitchem announced his retirement.

The Scofield/Spurlin winner will face Marshall County Probate Judge Tim Mitchell in the Nov. 2 general election.